Sands Of Time – October 1994

2 – 8 October

Concerns over the controversial engagement of Japan’s champion jockey, Yutaka Take on the 1994 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite White Muzzle proved devastatingly correct. Despite instructions by conditioner Peter Chapple-Hyam to track the front-running Broadway Flyer, Take dropped White Muzzle to the rear of the 20-strong field and half a mile into the race, White Muzzle had just one behind him, his race already all but lost. Broadway Flyer led into the straight, but then folded swiftly as the field closed in. Carnegie seized the lead a furlong and a half out and held off the late challenge of Hernando to clinch the race. Apple Tree finished third, Ezzoud fourth and finishing fastest of all, White Muzzle was sixth, beaten about 3 lengths.

Back on home soil, the George Azzie Memorial Handicap was run over 1200m at Newmarket on 4 October, attracting a small, but quality field of fillies and mares. Having landed a sentimental victory with Secret Pact in 1993, Michael Azzie sent out Golden Insense, a well backed joint second favourite at 3-1 alongside the speedy Glitzy Glamour with the classy Super Sheila topping the boards at 22-10. However, the fancied runners were upstaged by Owen Sims’s five-year-old Gay Follies who lasted long enough to hold the vastly improved Phantoscope at bay. Rank outsider Veneska, who looked a possible winner 200m out, held on for third ahead of Golden Insense, Super Sheila and Glitzy Glamour. Less than 2 lengths separated the first six home with Glitzy Glamour being promoted to fifth at the expense of Super Sheila following an objection by the Glitzy Glamour connections on the grounds of interference.

Barrier Trials

The subject of much controversy, Western Province Racing hosted the first ever barrier trials at Milnerton. Sanctioned by the Jockey Club of South Africa and deemed to have a three-month trial period, they got off the ground with six two-year-olds from the James Lightheart stable, accompanied by an older companion to show them the way, over 800m. All six finished inside the 52 second time set out as the requirement for these trials. They were followed by five older horses who also completed the trial inside the time allowed. Flushed with the success of the inaugural running of these trials, no less than 13 two-year-olds were nominated for the following week, with a second trial attracting nine older horses and one juvenile.

PE

The EP Rugby Festival Raceday at Arlington on 7 October produced five winning favourites on the eight-event card. Pride of place went to Fax Me in the R26 500 A Division Handicap over 1000m. The five-year-old son of Bush Telegraph has been dogged by leg trouble, but ran a tremendous race to hold on for a short head decision from Cross Of Katanga, with Shankaar just behind and Absoloodle close up fourth. The winner was lame at the pull up and rider Willie Uys dismounted and led his gallant mount back to the winner’s enclosure. Fax Me, owned by Mrs June Paddock and trained by her husband Mr Billy Paddock, ran the 1000m in the course record time of 56,18 s.

Russian Fox dies

Riverton Stud based Nijinsky horse Russian Fox (USA) collapsed in his paddock and died from an aortic aneurism in early October. Raced in France as a two- and three-year-old and then in America at four, Russian Fox (USA) won four starts (from 1400-1800m) and placed six times from 12 career starts. He commenced stud duties in South Africa in 1983. The 16-year-old stallion had a book of 55 mares, only 18 of which had been covered at the time of his sudden death, but shareholders and fellow breeders rallied round to offer assistance.

Life’s a beach

The Tony Millard-trained Surfing Home was sent off 28-10 favourite for the 8 October Gold Bowl at Turffontein, with last year’s runner-up White Tie Affair on offer at 9-2. Derby winner The Monk also found good support to start 5-1 third favourite.

Jeff Lloyd had the favourite handily placed for most of the journey and made his move soon after turning for home. He skipped clear and had built up a 5 length lead passing the 400m. However Weichong Mawing and The Monk began to reel him in and drew alongside with 200m to run. The Monk appeared to be travelling slightly the better of the two and drew ahead, but a brilliant ride from Lloyd saw Surfing Home fight back to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The horses crossed the line as one, but the photo showed Surfing Home had prevailed by the shortest of short heads. White Tie Affair, who was still 5 lengths adrift at the 200m, finished strongly to get within ¾ length of the first two and there was a gap of nearly 12 lengths to the fourth placed Kiaat. It was a thrilling rendition of the marathon event, but sadly marred by the death of SA St Leger winner Monsieur Music who collapsed and died of a heart attack during the running.

The supporting feature, the R100 000 Turffontein Three-Year-Old Sprint, heralded the re-appearance of last season’s sensational juvenile Special Preview, who had not been seen on the turf since his runaway victory in the Gr1 Smirnoff Futurity at the end of May.

Although Joe Soma had made it clear that this talented charge was only 90% fit, he was nevertheless made 7-10 favourite to land his fifth consecutive victory. Piere Strydom allowed the favourite to track the speedsters Double Dutch and Bush Law in the early stages and only asked him to quicken inside the final 400m. He moved up fluently to take the lead at the 300m pole with Casey’s Honour looking the only danger. The Natal challenger quickly closed the gap and looked to be travelling slightly better through the 200m mark. He edged into the lead with 100m to go, but under a forceful ride from Strydom, Special Preview rallied to regain the lead on the line. Casey’s Honour ran the race of his life causing Special Preview to stop the clock in a useful 66,68s for the 1200m. Special Preview will now be aimed at the Cape Guineas where he is likely to clash with National Emblem.

9 – 15 October

The highlight of the Highveld Spring Season was the 9 October R750 000 Gr1 IGN Gold Bowl. The Tony Millard-trained Surfing Home was sent off 28-10 favourite with last year’s runner-up, White Tie Affair, on offer at 9-2. Derby winner The Monk also found good support to start 5-1 third favourite, despite being untried over the distance. Tony Millard had expressed doubts about his charge’s ability to see out the gruelling 3200m, but on the day Surfing Home proved more than equal to the task and gave weight and a beating to the best stayers in the country.

Jeff Lloyd had the favourite handily placed for most of the journey and made his move soon after turning for home. He skipped clear and had built up a 5 length lead passing the 400m. However, Weichong Mawing and The Monk began to reel him in and drew level with 200m to run. The Monk appeared to be travelling the better of the two and surged ahead, but under a brilliant ride from Lloyd, Surfing Home dug into his reserves and found the necessary extra for a last desperate lunge. They crossed the line as one, but the photo showed Surfing Home to have prevailed by the shortest of short heads. White Tie Affair, who was 5 lengths adrift at the 200m, finished strongly to get within ¾ length of the first two and then a 12 length gap to Kiaat in fourth.

While racing fans could not have hoped for a more thrilling finish to the marathon event, the race was marred by the death of SA St Leger winner Monsieur Music who collapsed and died of a heart attack during the running.

Turffontein Three-Year-Old Sprint

The supporting feature, the R100 000 Turffontein Three-Year-Old Sprint, heralded the re-appearance of last season’s sensational juvenile Special Preview, who had not sported silk since his runaway victory in the Gr1 Smirnoff Futurity at the end of May. Although Joe Soma had made it clear that his charge was only 90% fit, he was nevertheless made 7-10 favourite to land his fifth consecutive victory.

Piere Strydom allowed the favourite to track the speedsters Double Dutch and Bush Law in the early stages and only asked him to quicken inside the final 400m. He moved up fluently to take the lead from the pacesetters at the 300m pole with Casey’s Honour emerging as his only danger. The Natal challenger quickly closed the gap on Special Preview and looked to be travelling the better of the two. He edged into the lead with 100m to go, but under a forceful ride from Strydom saw the favourite rally to reclaim the lead when it mattered most and the duel resulted in Special Preview stopping the clock in 66,68s for the 1200m.

Although he was made to work hard for victory, Special Preview showed the courage of a true champion and will have benefitted greatly from the run. His immediate goal is the Cape Guineas at Milnerton where he is likely to clash with promising young colt, National Emblem.

The 10 October Kwazulu-Natal Breeders’ Championship over 1800m at Scottsville provided another good duel, with Travel North and La Fabulous drawing clear of the field down the straight to fight out a thrilling finish. The photo showed Travel North a narrow winner, but he had to survive an objection for bumping and boring before his victory was confirmed. The superiority of the first two is apparent with an official 10 ½ lengths given as the distance between second and third place finisher Dream Fulfilled.

In the 10 October Owners and Trainers Handicap over 1400m at Turffontein, Quick Wit (trained by Mike Schuleman and ridden by Piere Strydom) was faced with stronger opposition than in his previous outing in the Bookmakers Handicap on 1 October, but was nevertheless sent off favourite at 3-1. He proved more than equal to the task by cruising home with daylight to spare. It was desperately close for the minor places with top weight Soviet Rising, having only his second outing for Patrick Shaw, shading Bold Cruiser for second with Young Victor another short head away in fourth.

The Cape Turf Club meeting on 15 October saw Kingspeed, nursed back to soundness by Isak Cronje and now transferred to the Derek Dalton yard after two good wins in Natal, as the early pacemaker in a top division mile. In retrospect he was unlucky not to hold on, but Russian Ring tracked him down the 200m straight and gradually wore him down to score narrowly. Russian Ring is trained by Patrick Kruyer, was well ridden by Gerritt Schlechter and is out of the well-related Royal Prerogative (GB) mare Lovely Bride and bred by Mrs Gwen Devenish.

16 – 22 October

At the 21 October Fairview meeting, the 1900m Jock Andrews Memorial was won by Star Fighter (Over The Air – Saint Sarah). Bred by Beaumont, Star Fighter is wwned by Mrs L Greeff, trained by S Greeff and was ridden to a convincing 1.25 length victory by jockey Stuart Randolph

The Michaelmas Handicap, run over 1900m at Greyville on 22 October was won by Solar Treasure (Nissr – Sun Treasure). Bred by GJ Armitage and campaigning in the colours of Mr DG Stokes, the bay gelding is conditioned by Alistair Gordon and was piloted to a 0.75 length win by jockey Glynn Schofield.

The useful filly Winnetka saw a welcome return to form in an A Division 1000m sprint at Milnerton on 22 October, when she beat Property Queen home by 0.75 lengths for owners Messrs B Kroot & H Marcus, for trainer John McDonald and jockey T Samuel.

23 – 29 October

In the 26 October Newmarket meeting, the Clifton Stud-bred Outback Romance (Sharp Romance-Arrow Town) claimed the TVL Breeders Plate for fillies over 1600m from another Sharp Romance filly, Sharp Affair. Outback Romance is owned by Mr & Mrs JA Pienaar & Miss W Sears, trained by Miss Diane Stenger and was piloted to a 2.25 length victory by Rhys van Wyk

In the colts’ race, King Singer (Hobnob – Advent) under Anton Marcus, prevailed over Gentle Knight by a nailbiting 0.25 lengths. The Bosworth Farm bred King Singer is trained by Russell Laird and races for the interests of Mssrs EJ Maciver, MJ Fisher & RN Brazier.

A little shy of 3 weeks after his narrow defeat to Travel North, PE contender La Fabulous was back in winning form in PE on 28 October, when he got the better of Altruist in Fairview’s Computaform 3yo Futurity Stakes. La Fabulous, by Lustra out of the imported Accipiter mare, Amanzimtoti, is bred and owned by Mr & Mrs P Fenix, conditioned by this year’s winningmost trainer, Stanley Greeff and was expertly ridden by Douglas Whyte.